I'm thinking that gardeners with an interest in native plants are likely focusing on regional plants. Therefore, I'm proposing a new forum for Southeast natives. If you're interested, note a response to this thread, and we'll see if there's enough interest to establish a new forum.

No, 16Blue, I could post on any and all forums, but I'm thinking Minnesota is so very different from South Carolina, our native plants are a whole different selection. There's a "Carolina" forum, but those folks are not especially focusing on natives.

Living in Virginia, I'm sort of on the dividing line of Northeast/Southeast. In general, I think the flora of Eastern North America are more different from Western North America than Southeastern from Northeastern. When using the USDA site the maps for many species show a swath of green to the east of the Mississippi River. Much of the flora of Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, for example, overlap with that of Pennsylvania and New York. The major differences are with the Gulf Coast states. The flora of Flordia, as a whole, differ far more from that of North Carolina than North Carolina does from that of New York. I personally feel that separating the Southeast into its own Native Plants Forum would reduce readership, and therefore, participation. The more provencial, the more limited the educational opportunity. Think what an impact it would have on the Plant Identification Forum (and our learning) if it were broken up into regional forums.

I agree with greenthumb99, too. There already isn't much traffic in this forum, and it seems that people would be unlikely to post in more than one natives forum. And since I live in an area where the east and west flora overlap, I see a huge amount of diversity in native plants, even though I am pretty far north. And I like to be a little familiar with the local flora when I travel to other parts of the continent.

It's possible that a reason for low traffic in this forum is that you have to root around a bit to find posts relative to your region. Native plants are, by their nature, regional (with overlap, to be sure), so I'd love to see the forum split into regions; or, at least NW, NE, SE, SW. I do enjoy seeing natives of other regions, also!

Sherriseden, you pose a good question. I have been wavering in my support of a new forum (I chimed in my support early) based on the thoughts shared about fragmenting a low traffic topic. If a new forum is established I will continue to watch the current forum. I live in the SE but have plants native to many, if not all, other regions of the country. You've made me wonder if general interest might increase with the addition of regional forums in addition to the current one. I don't know what would be best but I like the discussion and I like the idea of generating more interest.

@ greenthumbs . . . but most of us living in the internet world have the attention span of a 2 year old! : ) @ black40 bean . . . how cool that you grow natives of other regions! Honestly, my garden is made up of either midwest native or, uh, China or somewhere! Yeah, this is a good rap . . .

Hi guys. This sound like a good time to chime in. I don't really care if you go regional or not. Either sounds good. Id like to join in tho. I live in the Ozark mountains on 20 acres of old oak and Hickory forest. I'm always being surprised by new wild flowers here. I protect everything that comes up and have scavenged a few things to save them from new roads and such. Have been accused of marching to the beat of a differnt drummer.(edited to say...) Also can't spell worth a fig.
Vickie

YES!!! I looked all over the forums to find one for weeds. Someone suggested this forum and I will now ask my question. Has anyone seen white henbit anywhere? I had 1 come up in my yard, probably the seed was dropped by a bird. I googled up "white henbit" but did not find a pure white one. I have put it in a pot and taken a picture with my old, slow camera. I have known about purple henbit and purple deadnettle for a long time. Lamium, mint family. If anyone else knows anything about this plant, please post a reply. Thanks, Luciee {;^)

cando1, I have the plant in a flowerpot and have taken a picture. When I have the roll of film developed, I will post a picture. I am hoping to get seed fron the plant. Like I say, I never have seen a white one either. Luciee {;^)

luciee - I am looking forward to seeing your picture, but when you have it, the appropriate action would be to go to the top of the Native Plant Forum page, click on "Post a new thread" and initiate your own thread rather than inserting your plant into a thread on another topic. It will often garner more readers that way and not confuse those following the original topic of this thread.

Natives to the Himalayas - to Pakistan- even to Canada or Russia do not interest me because I don't have time enough to research them for someone who is FROM that region, so, no activity, I would prefer to not wade thru posts I have no clue how to. So regional would be great for me, but yes, agreed on minimal traffic to any natives forums. Xeriscaping plants are also natives - ESPECIALLY if they have a commercial value - don't believe this forum could be any more active in any changes...

Thank you very much but we can research our own plants. Basically its for those who have an interest. But you are correct. Just mark it in the subject line and people will know and not visit subjects which hold no interest. As to how to write a subject line which carries the required information, that has no interest for me.;)
Regards,
Masud.

Sorry, thot I was keeping my answer to you simple. Masud. In that- when we post and forget that strangers also watch to see what we are asking for with an id or picture, and that we do not read each others minds and know the information that wasn't offered. Which is of great assistance to others. No matter how you twist it (how it is offered). Does this help you Masud?

What you write is not simple.
As to what is the problem of mentioning the area concerned in subject line instead of segregating? Segregating divides knowledge into compartments, which means knowledge is now segregated into compartments and unavailable. A concept which is a bit difficult to understand. Maybe some one more capable can elucidate in detail.
Example. I want knowledge about Philodendron/Bananas which grows all over the world. Maybe a nugget which I want is in Alaska and no body in their senses would consider Alaska as far as Philodendrons/Bananas are concerned. Now use your imagination with regards to other plants. Have a pleasant day and if you still want to continue please shift to DMail.
Regards.

I am in zone 9-10 and I grow ferns, semps and sedums. How do I do it, wont other people from the same zones in other parts of the world want to know?
I grow then on quilts as in the picture. Two pieces chicken wire mesh, frame filled with long fiber coir, leaf mulch, leaf litter, sand, crushed lime stone. As the quilt is free draining and retains moisture for 48 hours, that's one problem taken care off. Breeze moving over it cools it and the micro climate around it by up to 10c another problem taken care off.
Same way if any one is doing stellar work on Philodendrons under controlled conditions, wont I want to know as to how its being done in Alaska. Why bifurcate?
Regards.

Masud, the topic is amount of traffic in the forum if it is split to regional. My reply was I DON'T think it will increase the traffic here no matter what is done, but that it would make it more simple for those whom have no interest in non regional learning until they learn their surrounding flora. Lack of understanding communication variables - you are speaking bifurcated and we may be speaking temperate zones- will lose those whom were asking for help and you will be left holding conversations with only yourself.

I, personally, would be more inclined to visit a forum were it geared a bit more specifically to my region, "native-wise". This is the first time for me visiting the "native plants and wild plants" forum... why? Because it covers natives from all over the world in one place; it could take me hours, if not days, to find what I'm looking for... that is, without posting my own separate inquiry, which risks redundancy.

I think of it this way: Do I want to walk into a city looking for one person, or would I rather walk into a house looking for one person? I would find the house less daunting.

Should I suddenly have an interest in a plant that is 'native' to another region, I will go to that region's thread for my research. After all, I'm a member here, so that information is certainly available to me. :) While looking for 'natives' to my region, I would find a thread geared toward my region much more productive, and I would be MUCH more likely to visit it.

As to how to separate... that's a tough one. Elsewhere, the forums are separated by region, could we not follow suit? (A bit easier for some of us Polish-minded people to follow.) ;)

sallyg wrote:I think it's implied, but not actually stated or declared, that this is North American natives, by virtue of the origin of the site.

**Gulp!** It is?? Ooops, I hadn't realized that part, silly me. =/

Back40, I'll be perfectly honest, I don't typically mind seeing all sorts of posts from all over the world (I love learning something new all the time, and the forums are always such an amazing wealth of knowledge)... however... when my ever-dwindling time is short, I do mind having to sift through loads of "chaff" to find the grain I'm looking for.

Not being disrespectful, truly I'm not, just sharing an honest opinion.

Or at least sources and refs 'sticky' at the top and at least noted they are forcertain regions. we were Once USA based only - at least forum- wise. Ma.y of us have problems finding plants in the database when we have no ckue what to look for.

Oh silly speedy- You're not silly. We looked at this thru different lenses is all, my lens said mainly US...my assumption is that way, not that everybody else ahs to think it too...
I do like kittriana's suggestion of regional Sticky Posts info at the top.

Regional sticky threads for photos and plant descriptions sound like a good idea to me, but a general thread for those interested in preserving natives is needed also. An "Act regionally, think globally" sort of thing. (Jim)

I live in Northern Virginia (zone 7), and as a fairly new convert to planting only natives I would of course favor a forum that includes my zone. For now, I'm hoping I can take advantage of your collective knowledge to get information about Mahonia aquifolium: what do I need to plant nearby to maximize berry production? Are there male and female Mahonia aquifolium? Will Mahonia repens do the trick (no pun intended)? I have one new aquifolium that is doing very well in my yard and I want to plant more.

This forum only generates about 50 threads a year. To limit it to a fraction of one country would reduce traffic even more. If you and others from your region participate more you can make it a de facto Southeast region natives forum without discouraging a wider viewing. Why let the less restrictive name of this forum stifle your participation?

Nothing to apologize for. My point is that there is so little traffic on this forum now that beginning a separate forum would result in two even more poorly attended forums, and I don't believe a name change would result in more participation. If folks in the Southeast care to dominate this forum and make it essentially a regional forum I'm all for that since anything would be more satisfying than the sluggish state this forum is currently in. Besides, if you check out the past threads you will discover that most have been from that region.

sherriseden wrote:It's possible that a reason for low traffic in this forum is that you have to root around a bit to find posts relative to your region. Native plants are, by their nature, regional (with overlap, to be sure), so I'd love to see the forum split into regions; or, at least NW, NE, SE, SW. I do enjoy seeing natives of other regions, also!

I just pulled this from earlier in this thread. I think sherriseden makes a good point.

To repeat my earlier point: "This forum only generates about 50 threads a year. To limit it to a fraction of one country would reduce traffic even more." I don't see how narrowing content would do anything but diminish participation. The assertion that the lack of traffic is because one has to "root around" is ridiculous since there is so little content as it is. Those who think there isn't enough from their region can change that simply by initiating threads. If you want more content relevant to you, generate some.

Stick with current format. Reposting my previous vote :
I personally feel there is not enough activity to warrant a split.
Here as in general Plant ID, it is helpful to have a hint in your thread title as to your location.

We are an odd sect if you will. I am obviously interested in southeast natives, but the question as to traffic... if you want there to be more activity, can't we make that happen? I'd love to see a thread devoted to idle chatter about the weeds in my garden.

Cville ,
Thanks , we are having an unusual spring / summer in Middle Georgia . Lots of rain and very unusual cooler than normal temps . It has delayed a lot of veggie garden plantings for sure . I got some new native azaelas this spring from our local Native plant specialist ,also planted some of my favorite perennials ,asclepias tuberosa ,Butterfly weed , they are tough plants .

Same here. In fact, it is down into the mid to lower 40s this morning. However, it's heading toward 90° by the end of next week. The tomatoes and peppers should like that but as you said, other things have been delayed. I grow mostly Asclepias curassavica (for the Monarchs) but have several other Asclepias. The last couple of years there have been so many butterflies in the yard.